All Programs

Our series of online, candid conversations brings together city builders of all stripes to discuss what’s working, what’s not and what’s next for urban communities across Canada.

November 18, 2024
Developing innovative approaches to create more housing for communities across Canada.
The topic of streamlining approvals to accelerate housing projects was addressed by multiple speakers. They emphasized the necessity of reducing bureaucratic hurdles and shortening approval timelines to expedite housing development. This approach aims to increase housing supply and address affordability challenges in Canadian cities. Stéfan emphasized how lengthy approval processes significantly increase costs and create…
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November 6, 2024
Life on Main: How can we make main streets matter more?
Main streets are crucial for social interaction, community identity, and economic activity. They go beyond mere commerce and play an integral role in maintaining cultural heritage and social services. Speaker Sameer Patel spoke to this saying, ” It’s about 85% of the population who lives within proximity to a Main Street. And, because our main…
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September 17, 2024
Nature knows best: How can we unify natural assets with Canada’s housing supply?
We have a growing resource of tools and people in local governments to show us that we do not need to choose between nature and housing – we need to continue to work towards integrating our efforts. Panelist Roy Brooke reminds us, we need to debunk this narrative that it is a choice and move…
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August 8, 2024
Heat, Floods, and Fires: Can Canadian cities cope with the extremes?
Communities need to be actively involved in strategies and plans to develop action plans to build capacity within communities. When people get involved, everyone is stronger for it.
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August 1, 2024
No Place: Asylum Seekers & Migrant Housing Deadlock in Canada
Cities are places where shared responsibility and collective empathy are crucial for the well-being of all residents. However, this sense of interconnectedness is often overlooked, leading to feelings of helplessness and isolation. To create supportive urban environments, it’s essential to rekindle this collective empathy and ensure that cities are spaces where everyone’s needs are met.
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July 25, 2024
Betting Big: Should Canada be Investing in Cultural Infrastructure?
The growth of cultural infrastructure is not just a local trend but a global one. As Natalia Vartapetova highlighted, “What we are seeing really, from this most recent year and from prior years is that the investment in cultural infrastructure internationally continues to increase.” This expansion reflects the increasing recognition of culture as a vital…
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July 18, 2024
Systems, not symptoms: How do we address Mental Health and Wellbeing in Canada’s Downtowns?
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
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June 27, 2024
Main Street Mosaics: Piecing together investments for complete communities
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
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June 12, 2024
Jump Start Investment: How can we accelerate housing-enabling infrastructure?
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
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May 31, 2024
More Than Monuments: What’s on the agenda for capital downtowns?
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
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May 27, 2024
The Ottawa Sessions – Street Level Thinking
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
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May 27, 2024
The Ottawa Sessions – Bank on it
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
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